SouthernWorldwide.com – A federal judge has indefinitely blocked the Trump administration’s $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund. This decision came on Friday, despite another judge having previously declined to intervene earlier in the week after the Justice Department stated the fund was no longer proceeding.
The ongoing court disputes have intensified the pressure on the administration to formally disband the fund. While Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche informed Congress that the fund would not move forward, the settlement agreement and departmental directives that established it have not been officially rescinded. Critics express concern that this leaves open the possibility of the fund being revived in the future.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, who was appointed by President Clinton, extended a court order on Friday. This order prevents the implementation of the fund, as she concluded that public assurances from administration officials were not enough to alleviate worries about its potential revival.
Brinkema pointed out that Trump himself has expressed disappointment that the fund is not moving forward. She suggested this indicates the fund might “rear its head” at some point down the line.
This development follows a temporary block placed on the nearly $2 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund by a judge earlier.
Over the weekend, Trump stated on “Meet the Press” that he wished to continue with the fund. He expressed a desire to compensate individuals whose lives have been negatively impacted, stating, “If it was up to me, I’d pay them the kind of money that they deserve. People have been destroyed. Lives have been destroyed.”
Judge Brinkema has given the Justice Department one week to formally confirm in writing that the Anti-Weaponization Fund is being terminated and will not be reinstated.
This ruling comes just days after U.S. District Judge Richard Leon rejected a separate request from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). CREW had sought emergency intervention, but Leon stated he was willing to rely on the Justice Department’s assurances that the fund had effectively been abandoned.
The acting AG, Blanche, had revealed the fate of Trump’s ‘anti-weaponization fund’ under pressure from House lawmakers.
However, Judge Leon, appointed by President George W. Bush, simultaneously cautioned administration officials against interpreting his decision as permission to revive the program. He issued a stern warning, stating, “I give the Justice Department this warning: Don’t play possum with me.”
Deputy Attorney General Blanche had announced during a hearing earlier this month that the Anti-Weaponization Fund, which originated from President Donald Trump’s lawsuit settlement with the IRS, would not proceed. The fund was intended to provide compensation to alleged victims of government “lawfare.” However, its creation immediately drew criticism from Democrats, who labeled it a “slush fund” that could potentially benefit Trump’s political allies and individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot.
The Trump administration had pushed back against ‘slush fund’ accusations against the anti-weaponization fund, outlining who would qualify.
Justice Department attorney Andrew Block argued before Judge Leon that Blanche’s congressional testimony effectively rendered CREW’s challenge moot. He contended that the government had publicly committed not to move forward with the fund.
Judge Leon repeatedly questioned why Blanche had not formally rescinded the May 18 order that initially established the fund’s procedures. Block was unable to provide an answer to this question.
CREW attorney Nikhel Sus argued that the settlement agreement establishing the fund remains legally valid and includes upcoming deadlines requiring action.
The process for establishing the fund was described as harder than it should be, with Congress potentially balking at the $1.7 billion compensation fund.
According to Sus, a five-member board to oversee the fund must be established by June 17, with funding transfers scheduled by July 17. He emphasized, “On paper, the fund is still a legally operating entity.”
Ultimately, Judge Leon accepted the government’s assurances for the time being that the fund is moot. However, he noted that he has the authority to sanction attorneys who make false representations to the court. He also indicated that he would continue to consider CREW’s request for a preliminary injunction and suggested he might intervene if evidence emerges of the administration attempting to revive the fund.
